Not sure when I should return to work

Hi...I had my surgery on the 10th and am so glad to find a place I can find info and a place I can vent and be understood!
My surgery itself went super well...I was in the hospital for two days.
I had an iv and a cathador(not so fun)
I had little bleeding for the first two weeks and then started to have breakthrough bleeding...this I find a little confusing...I am not doing much other than sitting watching tv and reading books. I did squat a couple times to pick up my socks...now I pick them up with my toes...LOL!
I had a pang of pain a few days ago that felt like I was having labour pains ...this kept me up all night...then I had more bleeding for two days. That has subsided...thank God! I now experience pain in my bladder after I urinate...it`s like small spasms...sometimes it feels like a sharp pain up through. I will mention this to my Doc when I see her on the 2nd.
I have not been to the computer before now...just didn`t have the strength...I really expected to be feeling much better by now. I am not sure when I should return to work?

Hugs
T_light

Sorry to hear that you're not feeling up to par. Hope you get to feeling better. I took four weeks off from work and I have a desk job. Probably could have gone back sooner but wanted the extra rest. I still get tired by the end of the day. You only have one chance at healing right, don't over do it and take care of you.

I am going through the same thought process. I had "a text book LSH" on March 4th and recovery has been going OK. Mostly fine, with a couple of set backs.

Right now I think I will return to work in March 18th or 19th, but we will see how things go. Before then I think I need to be able to be on the home computer for a couple of hours without any pain, drive just fine and bend over better than right now. I could not even open my file drawers right now, so there is no way I could go to work at this point.

Often an employer will require a written release from your physician stating you are ready to return to work. Did your doctor mention when this would be provided for you? If not, you may want to give your doctor's office a call.

The situation you mention regarding your bladder caught my eye. I would NOT recommend that you wait to talk to your doctor about this until the 2nd! If it is a urinary tract infection you need it treated now before it gets any worse or spreads to your kidneys!

Take care! s

Hey there I had a TAH a week after you on Feb 17th. My progress has been okay. I got out of the hospital 2 days after surgery then four days after that i developed a bladder infection. NOT FUN!! I was having very sharp pains in my lower right abdomen and back.I could barely walk because the sharp pains were so bad and the pressure on my bladder. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and i was fine after a week. I drank lots of water and cranberry juice also. I havent had anymore bleeding since surgery. Thank goodness.Im just a little sore at the incision and still tired. Im taking iron and vitamins daily so hopefully i will get my energy back soon. My doctor says i can return to work April 8th which that will be 7 weeks after my surgery date. I dont want to rush back and get a setback. I do lots of lifting at my job so im gonna listen to the doctors orders and take it easy. Call your doctor ASAP about your pain. Sounds like a UTI. Your doctor should also tell you when you can return to work. Hope you get to feeling better.

Thank you gals for responding...I tried to call my doc but she is not in the office till next wed..I think I`ll go get some cranberry juice like was mentioned. I know I need to drink more...that has always been my problem. I still have not drove my car...I don`t think I am strong enough for that! You are all doing great...I feel like I am still so weak...I wonder what I should be doing differently.

If you can't get hold of your GYN regarding the possible UTI, call your primary care physician!

T-Light,

I would be very concerned about the bleeding and the pain. You need to talk to a doctor sooner rather than later. Cranberry juice will help keep your urinary tract working, but if you already have a UTI it won't fix it. The bleeding and cramping you have sounds worse than it should be. Is there anyone covering for your Gyn while she is out? Waiting till the 2nd is too long.

It took me 10 weeks to get back to work.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Is your doctor the only one in that office? If not, another doctor should be covering and they need to get back to you on this. Not knowing will make you feel worse and impact your overall recovery. And if all else fails, just have somebody take you to ER.